Reports to: President & CEO
FLSA status: Full Time
Travel: Up to 30% (regional and national)
Salary Range: Shared upon request
Team: Director of Major Giving, Director of Government Relations, Annual Giving Manager, Grants Manager, and Membership Coordinator
About MCEC
The Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC) is a national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every military-connected child is college-, work-, and life-ready. MCEC champions the academic, social, and emotional well-being of military-connected children through programs, training, and advocacy.
Position Summary
The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a strategic leader who will shape, modernize, and scale MCEC’s fundraising operations in alignment with its bold 3-year strategic plan. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CAO will partner closely with the CEO to drive transformational growth in fundraising, diversify revenue, and build sustainable donor relationships that amplify MCEC’s mission. This role offers the rare opportunity to lead an Advancement team ready to accelerate fundraising efforts, a CEO fully committed to innovation and fundraising partnership, and a brand with a stellar reputation in the nonprofit space.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising & Revenue Growth
- Design and execute a comprehensive multi-year fundraising strategy aligned to MCEC’s financial sustainability goals.
- Lead the successful execution of annual fundraising targets.
- Expand major donor, individual giving, and corporate partnership pipelines, with a focus on cultivating anchor funders and multi-year commitments.
- Oversee grant development strategy and diversify funding sources (e.g., state contracts, planned giving, digital campaigns).
Team Leadership & Performance Alignment
- Lead and coach a growing Advancement team, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and high performance.
- Establish and manage team KPIs, tying goals to strategic pillars (Data-Centric, Financial Sustainability, Modern Infrastructure, and Culture of Trust).
- Create systems for continuous performance improvement, scenario planning, and donor segmentation.
Operational Infrastructure & Innovation
- Spearhead implementation and adoption of CRM and data systems to support modern fundraising practices.
- Build processes and SOPs that improve efficiency and stewardship across all donor segments.
- Integrate technology and AI into fundraising workflows to increase productivity and personalization.
CEO & Board Partnership
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO, collaborating on high-level donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Support CEO in leveraging board relationships for Advancement activities; provide regular updates and strategic counsel.
- Represent MCEC externally with national partners, funders, and influencers.
Required Skills and Experience
- 10+ years of senior-level experience leading multi-channel fundraising operations, ideally in education, military-connected causes, or youth development.
- Proven track record of scaling fundraising revenue, securing six- and seven-figure gifts, and launching or growing major gift and planned giving programs.
- Demonstrated experience building and leading high-performing teams and implementing infrastructure to support sustainable growth.
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills, with the ability to inspire donors, team members, and partners.
- Tech-savvy and data-literate, with hands-on experience using CRMs, fundraising analytics, and digital engagement tools.
- Bias toward action, ability to lead through ambiguity, and a passion for mission-driven work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Lived experience in a military-connected family or professional experience working with military-serving organizations.
- Deep understanding of the education and youth development ecosystem.
- Experience managing national or regional fundraising campaigns and partnerships.
Organizational Impact
The CAO will be pivotal in transforming MCEC’s Advancement function into a strategic growth engine. Their leadership will:
- Modernize and streamline development operations
- Expand brand visibility and reach
- Cultivate long-term funder relationships
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest to Kyle Wood (Chief Operating Officer) at kyle.wood@militarychild.org.